Practical cheap commuting hauler...

I've been commuting in my GMC Sierra since October and so far mainly figured out that I'm not really a truck guy. Not to mention that we're driving it a lot more than we expected so the less that stellar fuel consumption and its somewhat low-ish on the mountain roads is beginning to annoy a litte. I'm probably looking for a mythical beast that doesn't exist but I'm wondering what the assembled multitude can make of these requirements:

• No minivans, that'll be a reason for Ann to divorce me
• nicer and quieter drive than a truck
• must have 4x4, I don't need permanent AWD though. This is 99% for snow use, not really off roading.
• 4 doors and seat four people in comfort
• more cargo space than a Jeep Cherokee. Chucking a bunch of Celica parts including a complete exhaust with lots of space to spare makes the truck occasionally useful
• decent fuel consumption, ie > 20mpg. Diesel would be nice but is optional
• reasonable tow rating (optional)
• cheap, should be able to get one in the Bay Area for 5k or less

Most of the vehicles I can come up with (Suburban, Land Cruisers etc) tick all the boxes but the fuel consumption. Other cars that I like (E34 touring, for example) aren't available with AWD over here. Ann likes Mercedes and she's be OK with me getting something like a W126 turbodiesel but that (a) doesn't tick the 4WD requirement and (b) has less cargo space than I'd really like.

Any suggestions?

Sounds like a unicorn to me. I was thinking Honda Ridgeline until I saw the $5k.

Maybe a Subaru Outback wagon?

Legacy Outback is one of the "potentially maybe" ones, as might be the Forester, but they are a little small for what I need from time to time. That's kinda where the tow rating would come in, though.

The good thing would be that they are more expensive up here than down in the Bay Area so I might be able to offset some of the maintenance cost against the increase in value.

And yes, I know I'm searching for a unicorn, that's why I thought I asked for input around here.

1983 AMC Eagle wagon.

But if you must have something newer... Look at the Volvo V70 XC / XC70 wagons. AWD, seats 4 plus stuff, and have a huge cargo area (the older ones, pre-01, are basically a box).

Like this:

How heavy are these parts or loads?

I found myself in a similar position of not being able to justify a pickup all the time. A small trailer takes care of my hauling needs now. You can usually load most of the lightweight models with around 1000lbs before hitting the tow limit of the trailer or a class-1 hitch designed for a car.

As I read through i was thinking Ford Escape V6 or Rav4 V6. They both hit all the points but then at the end you put in the $5k requirement. It would be hard to make that, maybe an Escape.

BoxheadTim wrote: - No minivans, that'll be a reason for Ann to divorce me Check - nicer and quieter drive than a truck Check - must have 4x4, I don't need permanent AWD though. This is 99% for snow use, not really off roading. Check - 4 doors and seat four people in comfort Check - more cargo space than a Jeep Cherokee. Chucking a bunch of Celica parts including a complete exhaust with lots of space to spare makes the truck occasionally useful Bigger than a Cherokee is not much of a hurdle since a Cherokee is pretty small inside. - decent fuel consumption, ie > 20mpg. Diesel would be nice but is optional V6 versions can get 20mpg hyw. - reasonable tow rating (optional) V6 versions have tow rating of #3500 - not sure if that is "reasonable" - cheap, should be able to get one in the Bay Area for 5k or less Here is the real challenge.

Here's the scenario I'd do.

Get a subaru wagon for $4500

Then buy a old beater 2wd truck for $500.

What are the real chances that you need 4x4, tow capacity, and hauling capacity all in one?

The subaru will go better in the snow that most standard 4x4's, especially if you get a subaru and swap in a wrx rear LSD.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/2172875133.html

just misses the mpg by a couple.

First I thought of a Trooper, or a Passport/Rodeo...then I came back to the AWD Civic Wagon with a roof rack.

Tracker/Sidekick: smaller than Jeep and no towing but hits mpg
Early small Rav4: smaller than Jeep and no towing but hits mpg

Here are a few choices that are very close to fitting:

Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport: V6 and 4wd
1998 with 3.2L V6 has an mpg of 16/17/19
not sure on tow capacity.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport: V6 and 4wd
1997 with 3.0L V6 has an mpg of 16/17/19

Toyota 4 Runner: 4cyl and 4wd
1997 with 2.7L 4cyl has an mpg of 16/18/20

The 1994 Chevy Blazer (S10 version) is rated at 15/16/20 with a tough 4.3L V6 and will likely tow up to #5,000. Parts are cheap (but so is build quality.)
Ford Explorer of same vintage gets about same mpg

Source www.fueleconomy.gov
use the power search function

I don't think the diesel Grand Cherokees hit the price point, but they should do the rest pretty well.

You can't really buy a beater truck out here for $500 that's actually worth insuring...

The Volvo and the 4matic Mercedes are not bad ideas.

The issue with the loads isn't necessarily weight (although I might have to transport the occasional engine) but size. Like a complete exhaust for a Celica type size.

The price point is pretty fixed as a lot of money will have to go into the Celica and $5k is really the upper end of what we can afford at the moment if I sell my Sierra.

I can probably relax the 4x4 requirement a little as Ann doesn't like driving in snow storms so in bad weather I could take the Cherokee, but I don't like leaving her without transportation.

BoxheadTim wrote: The issue with the loads isn't necessarily weight (although I might have to transport the occasional engine) but size. Like a complete exhaust for a Celica type size.

roof rack on subaru wagon

or http://www.harborfreight.com/1720-lb-capacity-super-duty-48-inch-x-96-inch-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-five-lug-wheels-and-tires-94564.html?utm_term=94564&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase&hft_adv=15000

DILYSI Dave wrote: I don't think the diesel Grand Cherokees hit the price point, but they should do the rest pretty well.

they barely get 20mpg..

This guy tows one behind his motorhome... So, I'm going to guess he drives like a grandpa. Not the best mileage for the premium of the diesel engine. http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rvthere/grand-cherokee

Besides he specifically states more space than a cherokee. A grand Cherokee does not have a ton more space inside, cargo wise, than an xj. I really wished the diesel GC and liberty were better. I want one, but don't want the headaches that come with them(gleaned from lots of internet reading and my knowledge of the problems with that era of vehicles emissions controls).

For what it is worth, the Volvo wagon is amazingly versatile for cargo - example: the front passenger seat folds down, allowing it to carry 10'+ boards with the hatch closed and a passenger in the left rear. It won't quite eat a 4'x8' sheet however. Real world fuel economy of 28 mpg highway, 20 city.

I dont think you can find a awd civic wagon for under $5k in that area.

99-01 CR-V

Bomb-proof.

Too small...

Ann & me stopped at one of the local used car emporniums on the way back as they had but a Suburban and a 4runner. Space-wise the Suburban wins (surprise) but the 4runner looks like it is usefully bigger than Ann's Cherokee.

Looks like I'll just need to start looking and driving various vehicles then.

Would a late-'80s VW Syncro Transporter fail the minivan test? Seems to meet your other criteria... I don't know about the tow rating though.

I can probably get away with one, but the very few I've seen bust the budget by about a factor of 3. Although this does have me wonder if the regular one doesn't have enough traction in the snow with just RWD.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the new Ford Explorer looks nice. 6 cylinder turbo.

If you need to tow more than 5k lbs, you are indeed looking for a unicorn.

Yebbut, a new Ford Explorer isn't available within our $5k budget.

I *might' be able to find a 6.5 Turbodiesel Suburban within the budget if I keep looking for long enough...